Temperature controlled structure assembly

ABSTRACT

A temperature controlled structure assembly comprises an array of structural panels each including at least one channel formed therein. At least one channel of each of the structural panels is aligned with at least one of the channels of an adjacent one of the structural panels to form a continuous channel extending through the array of the structural panels. At least one functional panel overlays the array of structural panels and is exposed for contact with a user. At least one heat exchanging element is disposed within the continuous channel and configured to exchange heat with the at least one functional panel in order to heat or cool the at least one functional panel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/112,845, filed Feb. 6, 2015, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a structure assembly, and more particularly toa structure assembly including a heat exchanging element disposed withina channel formed in the structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional materials for forming flooring structures or walkwaysinclude composite materials, wood, pre-cast concrete, and brick, asnon-limiting examples. These materials may be used to form traditionalstructures such as decks, bridges, staircases, sidewalks, pathways,patios, driveways, and the like. The traditional materials are commonlyselected for their favorable appearance and structural stability, butthese materials also tend to exhibit the undesirable characteristic ofbecoming too hot when exposed to high ambient temperatures and longperiods of sun exposure or too cold when exposed to low ambienttemperatures. Additionally, precipitation such as snow or freezing rainmay cause the materials to be unsafe for walking when the materials areused to form outdoor structures.

The accumulation of snow or ice on such structures can be particularlyproblematic for certain individuals who are physically incapable ofremoving such precipitation. For example, elderly individuals orindividuals having suffered from an aneurysm or stroke may be advised tonot lift objects above a certain weight such as thirty pounds, forexample. As a result, it can be nearly impossible for such an individualto clear a pathway following periods of heavy snowfall. Additionally,the use of scraping utensils or traditional snow shovels can potentiallycause damage to the traditional materials. Furthermore, the use of salton similarly iced surfaces can cause damage to materials such asconcrete while the run-off from the salt can pose an environmentalhazard.

Several systems have been developed to heat or cool various floorsurfaces, but these systems have numerous drawbacks. First, availablesystems require a complex installation process in which severalcomponents forming the system are securely affixed in a manner whereinthe system may not be easily altered or otherwise replaced. Accordingly,the use of such systems is not conducive to updating or replacing thecomponents thereof, including the exposed finish of the flooringstructure, without requiring considerable time and expense. Second,available systems are not easily configured for placement in complexconfigurations including three-dimensional structures. The inability ofavailable systems to be formed into complex structures preventsavailable systems from being utilized in structures that poseconsiderable risks to a user, including staircases and ramps, forexample.

It would therefore be desirable to produce a temperature controlledstructure assembly suitable for creating complex and customizedstructures that is also capable of heating or cooling an exposed surfaceof the structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Compatible and attuned with the present invention, a temperaturecontrolled structure assembly capable of forming complex and customizedthree-dimensional structures has surprisingly been discovered.

In one embodiment of the invention, a temperature controlled structureassembly comprises a plurality of structural panels and a plurality offunctional panels exposed for contact with a user. Each of thefunctional panels contacts at least one of the structural panels. Achannel is formed in at least one of a surface of each of the structuralpanels and a surface of each of the functional panels, each of thechannels intersecting at least one of a peripheral edge of one of thestructural panels and a peripheral edge of one of the functional panelsto form a connection point of each of the channels. A heat exchangingelement is disposed in each of the channels and is configured toexchange heat with at least one of the functional panels.

In another embodiment of the invention, a temperature controlledstructure system comprises an array of structural panels. A channel isformed in a surface of each of the structural panels. Each of thechannels intersects a peripheral edge of each of the structural panelsto form a connection point of the channel. A functional panel overlaysthe structural panels and is exposed for contact with a user. A conduitis disposed within the channel formed in each of the structural panelsfor conveying a first fluid therethrough, the first fluid configured toexchange heat with the functional panel. The fluid conduit extendsbetween an inlet of the structural panels to an outlet of the structuralpanels. The system further comprises a pump causing the first fluid toflow through the conduit. A first fluid line is in fluid communicationwith the conduit, the first fluid line extending outside of thestructural panels from the outlet and back to the inlet, the first fluidline in fluid communication with at least one of a heat exchanger and afluid source configured to store the first fluid.

In another embodiment of the invention, a temperature controlledstructure system comprises an array of structural panels, an array offunctional panels overlaying the structural panels and exposed forcontact with a user, and a channel formed in a surface of each of thefunctional panels. The channel intersects a peripheral edge of each ofthe functional panels to form a connection point of the channel. Aconduit is disposed within the channel formed in each of the functionalpanels for conveying a first fluid therethrough, the first fluidconfigured to exchange heat with each of the functional panels. Theconduit extends between an inlet of the array of functional panels to anoutlet of the array of functional panels. A pump causes the first fluidto flow through the conduit. A first fluid line is in fluidcommunication with the conduit, the first fluid line extending outsideof the array of functional panels from the outlet and back to the inlet,the first fluid line in fluid communication with at least one of a heatexchanger and a fluid source configured to store the first fluid.

A method of forming a temperature controlled structure is alsodisclosed, the method comprising the steps of providing an array ofstructural panels, a channel formed in a surface of each of thestructural panels, the channel intersecting a peripheral edge of each ofthe structural panels to form a connection point of the channel; routingat least one heat exchanging element through the channel of each of thestructural panels, wherein at least one heat exchanging element extendsacross at least one of the connection points; and coupling a functionalpanel to the structural panels, wherein the functional panel is disposedon the surface of each of the structural panels having the channelformed therein.

Another method of forming the temperature controlled structure assemblyis also disclosed. The method comprises the steps of assembling an arrayof structural panels; providing an array of functional panels, a channelformed in a surface of each of the functional panels, the channelintersecting a peripheral edge of each of the functional panels to forma connection point of the channel; routing at least one heat exchangingelement through the channel of each of the functional panels, wherein atleast one heat exchanging element extends across at least one of theconnection points; coupling the at least one heat exchanging element tothe array of functional panels; and coupling the array of functionalpanels having the heat exchanging element coupled thereto to the arrayof structural panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as other objects and advantages of the invention,will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from readingthe following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of theinvention when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view illustrating atemperature controlled structure assembly according to an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view illustrating an array of structural panelsforming a temperature controlled structure assembly;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view illustrating a structural panel having acut-out and a plurality of inserts configured to be inserted into thecut-out;

FIG. 4A is an exploded front elevational view of a fluid conduitaccording to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4B is an exploded front elevational view of a fluid conduitaccording to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4C is a partially exploded front elevational view of a fluidconduit according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view illustrating a flanged portion of each of thefluid conduits illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary partially exploded top plan view illustrating aplug seal for sealing each connection point formed in each of thestructural panels of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 7 is front elevational view of the plug seal illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side elevational view showing an alternativeembodiment of the plug seal illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a foam wrap for sealing eachconnection point formed in each of the structural panels;

FIG. 10A is a schematic view of a drip pan and a pair of functionalpanels having a convex outer surface;

FIG. 10B is a schematic view of a drip pan and a pair of functionalpanels having inclined surfaces facing in a common direction;

FIG. 10C is a schematic view of a drip pan and a pair of functionalpanels having inclined surfaces facing toward each other;

FIG. 10D is a schematic view of a drip pan and a pair of functionalpanels having a plurality of holes formed therein;

FIG. 11 is a schematic flow diagram of the temperature controlledstructure assembly in heat exchange relationship with a secondary fluidcircuit;

FIG. 12 is a schematic flow diagram of the temperature controlledstructure assembly in fluid communication with a fluid source;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the temperature controlled structureassembly including an electrical element according to an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 14 is a partially exploded front elevational view of the electricalelement illustrated in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a partially exploded top plan view of the temperaturecontrolled structure assembly including an electrical element accordingto a another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 is a partially exploded front perspective view of a traditionalstaircase formed from the temperature controlled structure assembly;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary front perspective view of a spiral staircaseformed from the temperature controlled structure assembly; and

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the temperaturecontrolled structure assembly arranged into a shape of a pallet orcrate;

FIG. 19 is a schematic flow diagram of the temperature controlledstructure assembly in heat exchange relationship with a grove of frostsensitive plants; and

FIG. 20 is an exploded front elevational view of an alternativearrangement of a structural panel and a functional panel according toanother embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description and appended drawings describe andillustrate various embodiments of the invention. The description anddrawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to make and use theinvention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention inany manner. In respect of the methods disclosed, the steps presented areexemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps is not necessaryor critical.

FIGS. 1-20 illustrate a temperature controlled structure assembly 10according to an embodiment of the invention. The temperature controlledstructure assembly 10 may be used to form both indoor structures as wellas outdoor structures that are intended to be traversed by a person orpersonal vehicle. For example, the temperature controlled structureassembly 10 may be applied to roadways, decks, patios, walkways,platforms, indoor flooring, staircases, or any other traditionalsurfaces on which a person may walk, stand, or operate a personalvehicle such as a bicycle or wheelchair, for example. Furthermore, itshould be understood by one skilled in the art that the temperaturecontrolled structure assembly 10 may be configured for use on anysurface that may require heating or cooling to ensure the comfort orsafety of a person coming into contact with the surface. Accordingly,the temperature controlled structure assembly 10 may also be adapted foruse in other structures such as walls, benches, chairs, handrails,crates, and pallets, as non-limiting examples.

When applied to an indoor structure, the temperature controlledstructure assembly 10 may be used primarily to control a temperature ofan indoor flooring structure that may come into contact with the personstanding, walking, sitting, or otherwise traversing or being supportedby the indoor flooring structure. The temperature controlled structureassembly 10 may be used primarily to heat or cool the indoor flooringstructure in accordance with a desired comfort level of the user. Whenapplied to an outdoor flooring structure, the temperature controlledstructure assembly 10 may also be used to heat or cool the outdoorflooring structure in accordance with a comfort level of the user.Additionally, the temperature controlled structure assembly 10 may alsobe used for the specific purposes of cooling outdoor flooring structuresexposed for extended periods to sunlight or for melting ice or snow thatmay develop on the outdoor flooring structures when exposed toprecipitation and low ambient temperatures. As explained hereinafter,the temperature controlled structure assembly 10 may be configured for awide variety of structures and for a wide variety of applications, asdesired.

As shown in FIG. 1, the temperature controlled structure assembly 10comprises a functional layer 2 comprised of at least one functionalpanel 20 and a structural layer 3 comprised of at least one structuralpanel 60. Each of the functional panels 20 forms a portion of thetemperature controlled structure assembly 10 that is exposed to andcapable of coming into contact with the user or an article associatedwith the user. Accordingly, the functional panels 20 may alternativelybe referred to as functional elements 20 or exposed panels 20, asdesired. The functional panels 20 or functional elements 20 may bechosen to serve a particular function, including being aestheticallypleasing, durable, or robust, depending on the application. Thefunctional panels 20 or functional elements 20 may for instance beformed from traditionally exposed materials such as wood, concrete,brick, bamboo, tile, asphalt, laminates, and composites, as non-limitingexamples. Accordingly, the functional layer 2 of the temperaturecontrolled structure assembly 10 may include a single element 20 or aplurality of modular elements 20 configured for assembly together,depending on the application and the type of materials used to form thefunctional panels 20 or elements 20. The functional panels 20 orfunctional elements 20 may also include heat transfer improvingmaterials such as powdered aluminum, formed within a material matrix ofthe functional panels 20, to increase a heat transfer capabilitythereof.

Each of the structural panels 60 is configured to underlay one or moreof the functional panels 20. Each of the structural panels 60 may beformed from any suitable material including Duroplast®, plastic,composite materials, or particle board, as non-limiting examples. Thestructural panels 60 may be formed from a base material that is not asaesthetically pleasing as the functional panels 20 due to the structuralpanels 60 being hidden from view following full installation of thetemperature controlled structure assembly 10. For example, thestructural panels 60 may be formed from waste or scrap materials such asscrap wood having an otherwise undesirable quantity of knots or otherimperfections or flaws. The structural panels 60 may also be formed frommaterials including fillers such as shredded tires, shredded palmfronds, shredded bamboo, or chimney fly ash, as non-limiting examples.The structural panels 60 may also include heat transfer improvingmaterials such as conductive materials, conductive fibers, conductivepowders, metals, powdered metals, powdered aluminum, and the like, forexample, formed within a material matrix of the structural panels 60, toincrease a heat transfer capability thereof. It is desirable for thestructural panels 60 to be formed from any cost-effective materialhaving desirable characteristics suitable for the applications of thetemperature controlled structure assembly 10. The structural panels 60may alternatively be referred to as hidden panels 60 due to theinconspicuous appearance of the panels 60. Additionally, due to thelarge variety of available shapes, sizes, and orientations of thestructural panels 60, the structural panels 60 may alternatively bereferred to as structural elements 60. The structural layer 3 mayaccordingly be formed from a single structural panel 60 or structuralelement 60 or from a plurality of modular structural panels 60 orstructural elements 60, as desired.

The temperature controlled structure assembly 10 may be applied to anunderlying structural frame 12. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the structuralframe 12 may comprise a plurality of spaced apart cross-members 14extending substantially parallel to each other. The cross-members 14 mayfor example be a plurality of joists forming a portion of a buildingstructure suitable for supporting any form of traditional flooringstructure. Alternatively, the structural frame 12 may comprise anycombination of structural components having a shape and configurationsuitable for installing a desired structure such as the temperaturecontrolled structure assembly 10. The structural frame 12 may be aportion of a structure configured for use with the temperaturecontrolled structure assembly 10 that is not typically exposed visuallywhen the structure is fully assembled. In some circumstances, thestructural frame 12 may be formed from a portion of the ground surfaceif the temperature controlled structure assembly 10 is installed to anoutdoor structure. It should be understood that the structural frame 12may be formed from any material suitable for being coupled to thetemperature controlled structure assembly 10 without departing from thescope of the present invention.

As best illustrated in FIG. 1, the structural panel 60 is typicallyconfigured to be directly coupled to the structural frame 12 and thefunctional panel 20. An inner face 61 of the structural panel 60 mayabut the structural frame 12 and an oppositely arranged outer face 62 ofthe structural panel 60 may abut an inner face 21 of the functionalpanel 20. The inner face 21 of the functional panel 20 may be formedopposite an outer face 22 thereof that is exposed for contact with auser or the user's personal vehicle. The coupling of the structuralpanel 60 to the structural frame 12 may be accomplished using any knowncoupling device including traditional fastening devices such as screws,nails, bolts, or the like, or by the application of a suitable adhesiveor bonding material. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the structural panel 60coupled to the structural frame 12 using a plurality of first fasteningdevices 5 positioned inboard from a peripheral edge 65 of the structuralpanel 60. Alternatively, other suitable structures or devices forsecuring a position of each of the structural panels 60 relative to thestructural frame 12 may be used, as desired.

Similarly, the coupling of the functional panel 20 to the structuralpanel 60 may be accomplished using any known coupling device includingtraditional fastening devices such as screws, nails, bolts, or the like,or by the application of a suitable adhesive or bonding material. FIGS.1 and 2 illustrate the functional panel 20 coupled to the structuralpanel 60 using a plurality of second fastening devices 6 positionedadjacent the peripheral edge 65 of the structural panel 60, andespecially at corners of each of the structural panels 60. It shouldalso be understood that an opposite arrangement wherein the firstfastening devices 5 are disposed immediately adjacent the peripheraledge 65 of the structural panel 60 and the second fastening devices 6are disposed inboard from the peripheral edge 65 of the structural panel60 may be used without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. Alternatively, a position of the functional panels 20 may besecured relative to the underlying structural panels 60 by inserting aplurality of dowel pins (not shown) or other locating pins intocorresponding apertures formed in each of the panels. Other suitabledevices or structures for securing a position of each of the structuralpanels 60 relative to each of the functional panels 20 may be used, asdesired.

In some circumstances, the interfacing surfaces of the functional panels20 and the structural panels 60 may be painted or coated. A paint or acoating may for instance be a rubberized type paint or a waterproof typepaint. The paint or the coating may be configured to provide a sealbetween the functional panels 20 and the structural panels 60 to preventan intrusion of moisture or pests such as insects. The paint or thecoating may be applied using an electrostatic application method or anyconventional method.

In some embodiments, each of the at least one functional panels 20 has asize, shape, and configuration corresponding to one of the structuralpanels 60. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates a single one of thefunctional panels 20 having a size, a shape, and a configuration thatsubstantially corresponds to a size, a shape, and a configuration of asingle one of the structural panels 60. In other embodiments, thefunctional panels 20 and the structural panels 60 may have differentsizes, shapes, and configurations, so long as the functional panels 20are exposed and overlaying the structural panels 60. For example, aplurality of the functional panels 20 may overlay a single one of thestructural panels 60 or a single one of the functional panels 20 mayoverlay a plurality of the structural panels 60, depending on theparticular application. In some instances, the functional panels 20 maybe configured to extend longitudinally in a direction perpendicular to alongitudinal direction of the underlying structural panels 60. Any ratioof the structural panels 60 to the functional panels 20 may be usedwithout departing from the scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the structural panels 60 includes atleast one channel 80 formed therein. Each of the channels 80 is a hollowopening formed in the outer face 62 of each of the structural panels 60.Each of the channels 80 extends from one portion of the peripheral edge65 of each of the structural panels 60 to another portion of theperipheral edge 65 thereof. Each intersection of each of the channels 80with the peripheral edge 65 of a corresponding one of the structuralpanels 60 may be referred to as a connection point 70. Referring now toFIG. 2, three of the structural panels 60 are shown, wherein each of thestructural panels 60 includes one of the channels 80 having a pair ofthe connection points 70 formed at each end of the one of the channels80. In the configuration shown, each of the channels 80 extends from afirst connection point 70 formed at a first side 63 of the peripheraledge 65 of a corresponding structural panel 60 to a second connectionpoint 70 formed at an oppositely arranged second side 64 thereof. Eachof the channels 80 extends away from a first end 67 of the peripheraledge 65 and toward a second end 68 thereof, wherein each of the channels80 undergoes a 180° turn at a substantially U-shaped portion formed atthe second end 68.

As shown in FIG. 2, each of the connection points 70 may be configuredfor alignment with a corresponding connection point 70 of an adjacentone of the structural panels 60. The alignment of the connection points70 of adjacent ones of the structural panels 60 forms one continuouschannel 81 comprised of each of the channels 80 formed in each of theconstituent structural panels 60. Accordingly, it should be understoodthat an arrangement of the structural panels 60 and the correspondingconnection points 70 is selected to ensure that the continuous channel81 is formed by the cooperation of the entire array of the structuralpanels 60, hence the size, the shape, and the configuration of each ofthe channels 80 formed within each of the structural panels 60 may beselected accordingly to achieve this configuration.

Each of the structural panels 60 shown in FIG. 2 includes a single oneof the channels 80 having a pair of the connection points 70, but itshould be understood that other configurations of the structural panels60 may be used including multiple channels 80 and more than twoconnection points 70, as desired. For example, FIG. 2 includes a firstdashed line 11 and a second dashed line 12 showing a potential divisionof each of the structural panels 60 into three separate and distinctpanels. A first end panel 73 may include a pair of the channels 80,wherein each of the channels 80 includes a 90° turn and a pair ofconnection points 70 arranged perpendicular to each other. A second endpanel 74 may include a single channel 80, wherein the single channel 80includes the 180° turn and a pair of connection points 70 arranged on acommon side surface thereof. A central panel 75 may include a pair ofsubstantially parallel linear channels 80, each having a pair ofoppositely arranged connection points 70. As should be understood,various configurations of the different panels 73, 74, 75 may be used tocreate an array of the structural panels 60 having a desired shape,size, and configuration.

It should also be understood that the structural panels 60 may beprovided having a variety of shapes and sizes for customizing the shapeand the design of the temperature controlled structure assembly 10. Forexample, the central panel 75 may be selected to have any suitablelength while still being capable of being aligned with the connectionpoints 70 of the adjacent first end panel 73 and the second end panel74. Accordingly, any given dimension of the temperature controlledstructure assembly 10 in any given direction may be selected by choosingthe appropriate length of each of the different structural panels 20forming the array. Additionally, a pattern or configuration of each ofthe channels 80 formed in each of the structural panels 60 may have anydesired number of curves, bends, or turns, so long as each of thechannels 80 extends from one connection point 70 to another connectionpoint 70 in a manner that produces one continuous channel 81 whenadjacent ones of the structural panels 60 are installed to form thetemperature controlled structure assembly 10. In some cases, each of thechannels 80 has a winding or corrugated profile to ensure that thegreatest possible surface area of the structural panels 20 form portionsof the channels 80.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a structural panel 60 is shown having a cut-out90 formed therein. The cut-out 90 is shown as substantially square, butthe cut-out 90 may have any suitable shape and size while remainingwithin the scope of the present invention. The cut-out 90 may extendthrough an entirety of the structural panel 60 from the outer face 62thereof to an inner face 61 thereof, or alternatively may be formed inthe outer face 62 of the structural panel 60 and have a depth greaterthan a depth of any of the channels 80 formed in the structural panel60. FIG. 3 also illustrates three different embodiments of a panelinsert 92, wherein each of the panel inserts 92 includes at least onechannel 80 formed therein having at least two connection points 70corresponding to the connection points 70 formed at a periphery of thecut-out 90. A first panel insert 92 a includes a U-shaped channel 80that extends only partially inboard from a peripheral edge 95 thereof. Asecond panel insert 92 b includes a U-shaped channel 80 that extends toa central region of the second panel insert 92 b. A third panel insert92 c includes a U-shaped channel 80 that extends across a majority ofthe third panel insert 92 c. Accordingly, one of the panel inserts 92 a,92 b, 92 c may be selected depending on a desired length or path of thecontinuous channel 81 formed by the cooperation of the channels 80 ofthe structural panels 60 and the panel inserts 92. It should also beunderstood that panel inserts 92 having a plurality of channels 80formed therein with a corresponding plurality of connection points 70may be used, as desired, so long as the assembled structural panels 60and the panel inserts 92 have corresponding connection points 70 thatare properly aligned therewith.

The structural panels 60 and the panel inserts 92 have been described ashaving a plurality of channels 80 aligned with adjacent panels 60 and/orinserts 92 at a plurality of connection points 70 for the purpose ofcreating a continuous channel 81 that extends through each of the panels60 and/or the inserts 92 forming the temperature controlled structureassembly 10. The continuous channel 81, and accordingly each of thechannels 80 forming the continuous channel 81, is configured to receivea heat exchanging element therein, wherein the heat exchanging elementmay be formed into one continuous component extending along a length ofthe continuous channel 81. The heat exchanging element may be anycomponent or device suitable for being routed within the continuouschannel 81 and for exchanging heat energy with the structural panels 60and the functional panels 20. The heat exchanging element mayaccordingly be a fluid conduit 100 or an electrical element 300 routedthroughout the continuous channel 81 or through a portion or selectportions of the continuous channel 81.

Although the temperature controlled structure assembly 10 is shown anddescribed as having the fluid conduit 100 routed throughout thecontinuous channel 81 with reference to FIGS. 1-12, it will be readilyapparent that each of the structural panels 60 and the channels 80illustrated in FIGS. 1-12 are similarly capable of receiving theelectrical element 300 therein without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. Furthermore, the use of the continuous channel 81formed within the array of the structural panels 60 allows for a fluidor other heat exchanging medium to flow directly through the continuouschannel 81 so long as a suitable sealing means is provided at each ofthe connection points 70 and at each interface of the functional panels20 and the structural panels 60.

The fluid conduit 100 is a heat exchanging element formed from aflexible material suitable for being received within each of thechannels 80 forming the continuous channel 81. The fluid conduit 100 mayaccordingly be formed from a polymeric material such as rubber, as anon-limiting example. The fluid conduit 100 is configured to receive afirst fluid therein that is then caused to circulate throughout theentirety of the fluid conduit 100. The first fluid may be any fluidsuitable for exchanging heat energy with another medium. The first fluidmay be water, glycol, antifreeze, Prestone® solution, brine, oil,combinations thereof, and the like, as non-limiting examples. The firstfluid is configured to exchange heat energy with both the structuralpanels 60 and the functional panels 20 by heat transfer through thewalls of the fluid conduit 100. Because the structural panels 60 arecoupled to and overlaid by the functional panels 20, it should beunderstood that heat transfer may also occur between the structuralpanels 60 and the functional panels 20, hence the heating or the coolingof the structural panels 60 will tend to directly affect the heating orthe cooling of the functional panels 20. Accordingly, the first fluidmay be configured to increase or decrease a temperature of each of thefunctional panels 20 forming the temperature controlled structureassembly 10, depending on whether the first fluid or the functionalpanels 20 has a greater temperature when the first fluid is caused tocirculate through the fluid conduit 100.

Referring now to FIG. 4A, the fluid conduit 100 may be substantiallycylindrical in shape and may include at least one flanged portionconfigured for coupling the fluid conduit 100 to a corresponding one ofthe structural panels 60. As shown in FIG. 4A, the flanged portion ofthe fluid conduit 100 may include a pair of radially outwardly extendingtabs 102 that extend from opposite sides of a body 101 of the fluidconduit 100, wherein the body 101 may be substantially cylindrical inshape. As shown in FIG. 5, the tabs 102 may be spaced apart from eachother periodically along a length of the fluid conduit 100. The spacingof the tabs 102 in a lengthwise direction of the fluid conduit 100 aidsin ensuring that the fluid conduit 100 is flexible enough to be fittedto each bend or turn of the continuous channel 81. The tabs 102 may besuitable for receiving one of the first fastening devices 5 or one ofthe second fastening devices 6, as desired, for securing a position ofthe fluid conduit 100 relative to the continuous channel 81. In someembodiments, the fluid conduit 100 may be formed to have removable tabs102. The removable tabs 102 may be capable of being cut or otherwiseremoved from the fluid conduit 100 at desired intervals to allow for adesired degree of flexibility in the fluid conduit 100. The tabs 102 mayfor example include perforated portions at an end thereof for easilyremoving the tabs 102, as desired. It should be understood that othermethods of coupling the fluid conduit 100 to the structural panel 60 maybe used, including the use of a suitable adhesive or bonding agent, forexample.

The channel 80 formed in the structural panel 60 has a semi-circularcross-sectional shape to correspond to the body 101 of the fluid conduit100. The use of a channel 80 having a cross-sectional shape thatcorresponds to the outer surface of the fluid conduit 100 aids inexchanging heat energy between the structural panel 60 and the fluidconduit 100 by increasing a contacting surface area formed therebetween.Additionally, the functional panel 20 is also shown as having a channel84 formed therein having a semi-circular cross-sectional shapecorresponding to an outer surface of the fluid conduit 100. The use ofthe semi-circular channel 84 formed in the functional panel 20 mayfurther aid in transferring heat energy between the first fluid and thefunctional panel 20 via the fluid conduit 100 by increasing a contactingsurface area therebetween.

FIG. 4B illustrates an alternative arrangement of the fluid conduit 100.The fluid conduit 100 includes a pair of the tabs 102 extendingtangentially from the body 101 of the fluid conduit 100. The structuralpanel 60 may accordingly be formed having a channel 80 having across-sectional shape including a rectangular portion and asemi-circular portion formed at a distal end of the rectangular portion.The channel 80 is accordingly deeper than the channel 80 illustrated inFIG. 4A to accommodate the body 101 of the fluid conduit 100 extendingdownwardly from the tabs 102. The structural panel 60 may furtherinclude at least one indented portion 66 corresponding to a shape andsize of each of the tabs 102. The indented portions 66 ensure that thetabs 102 do not improperly space the functional panel 20 from thestructural panel 60 when coupled to each other.

The tangentially extending tabs 102 offer several advantages over theradially outwardly extending tabs 102 illustrated in FIG. 4A. First, thetangentially extending tabs 102 include substantially planar surfaces infacing relationship with the functional panel 20 disposed directlythereover, thereby eliminating the need for the channel 84 formed in thefunctional panel 20 illustrated in FIG. 4A. By eliminating the channel84, each of the functional panels 20 forming the temperature controlledstructure assembly 10 may be produced more cost effectively by leavingthe inner face 21 of the functional panel 20 substantially planar,thereby maximizing an ease of manufacturing each of the functionalpanels 20. Second, the use of tangentially extending tabs 102 eliminatesthe need for each of the channels 84 formed in each of the functionalpanels 20 from having to match and correspond to each of the channels 80formed in the structural panels 60 to ensure a proper fit of the fluidconduit 100 therein. Accordingly, the use of functional panels 20 devoidof one or more of the channels 84 advantageously allows for greatercustomization of the temperature controlled structure assembly 10 by notrequiring each structural panel 60 to require a specific configurationof each of the corresponding functional panels 20 disposed thereon.

FIG. 4C illustrates yet another alternative arrangement of the fluidconduit 100. The fluid conduit 100 illustrated in FIG. 4C issubstantially identical to the fluid conduit 100 illustrated in FIG. 4Bexcept for the addition of a pair of linear surfaces 106 formed onopposing sides of the body 101 of the fluid conduit 100. The linearsurfaces 106 allow for the fluid conduit 100 to further increase asurface area of contact formed between the structural panel 20 at thechannel 80 and the fluid conduit 100. As should be understood,incorporation of the linear surfaces 106 also requires the channel 80 tobe formed to have a corresponding cross-sectional shape including anarcuate portion that does not extend through an angle of 180°. Thelinear surfaces 106 may further aid in securing a position of the body101 of the fluid conduit 100 within the channel 80 by allowing thecylindrical portion to be resiliently press fit into the channel 80, asdesired. In other embodiments, the fluid conduit 100 may include morethan two of the linear surfaces 106 formed into a substantiallyhexagonal shape for example, as desired.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the fluid conduit 100 may be produced byextruding a material to have a desired cross-sectional shape such asthose shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, wherein the fluid conduit 100includes both the body 101 and the flanged portion, while periodicallypunching or otherwise removing material from the flanged portion of thefluid conduit 100 to form each of the spaced apart tabs 102.Additionally, a plurality of apertures 103 may concurrently be punchedor otherwise removed from the fluid conduit 100 during the extrusionprocess, wherein each of the apertures 103 may be configured to receiveone of the first fastening devices 5 or one of the second fasteningdevices 6 therein. It should be understood that different configurationsof the tabs 102 and the apertures 103 may be used without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a plug seal 40 for sealing each of the channels80 at each of their respective connection points 70. The plug seal 40 isconfigured to provide a seal between an outer surface of the fluidconduit 100 and a surface of the corresponding structural panel 60defining the channel 80 at each of the connection points 70.Additionally, in some configurations, the plug seal 40 may also providea seal between the outer surface of the fluid conduit 100 and the innerface 21 of the overlaying functional panel 20 at each of the connectionpoints 70. The plug seal 40, also referred to as a ferrule or a gommet,is substantially conical in shape and includes an opening 41 formedthrough a center thereof for receiving the body 101 of the fluid conduit100. An inner surface of the plug seal 40 defining the cylindricalopening 41 may also include a plurality of radially inwardly extendingteeth 47. The teeth 47 are configured to provide engagement with theouter surface of the body 101 of the fluid conduit 100. A widened end ofthe conically shaped plug seal 40 includes a radially outwardlyextending flanged portion 42. As best shown in FIG. 7, the plug seal 40has a split-collar construction, thereby allowing for the plug seal 40to be easily installed over the outer surface of the body 101 of thefluid conduit 100. The plug seal 40 may be formed from a resilient orflexible material suitable for forming a substantially fluid-tight sealbetween the plug seal 40 and an abutting surface. The plug seal 40 mayfor instance be formed from rubber or a similar polymeric material, forexample.

The structural panel 60 may further include a recess 78 formed thereinhaving a semi-conical shape corresponding substantially to the shape ofan outer surface of the conical portion of the plug seal 40. The recess78 may further include a widened portion 79 corresponding to a shape ofthe flanged portion 42 of the plug seal 40. Accordingly, the plug seal40 may be placed over the body 101 of the fluid conduit 100 and thenpressed into the recess 78. The flanged portion 42 of the plug seal 40is configured to preload the conically shaped outer surface of the plugseal 40 against the corresponding conically shaped recess 78, therebytightly securing the plug seal 40 around the fluid conduit 100. Theflanged portion 42 also aids in preventing the ingress of insects orother pests which might otherwise burrow into one of the channels 80.Additionally, the teeth 47 may “bite into” the body 101 of the fluidconduit 100, thereby providing an assured seal between the fluid conduit100 and the plug seal 40. For additional sealing ability, a suitableadhesive or other suitable sealing material may be applied between theplug seal 40 and the fluid conduit 100 or the plug seal 40 and thestructural panel 60, as desired.

FIG. 8 illustrates a plug seal 140 according to another embodiment ofthe invention. The plug seal 140 has substantially the sameconfiguration as the plug seal 40 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 exceptthe plug seal 140 is configured to straddle the connection points 70 ofadjacent ones of the structural panels 60. Accordingly, the plug seal140 includes a pair of oppositely arranged and radially outwardlyextending flanged portions 142 formed at each end of the plug seal 140,and a pair of conically shaped portions each reducing in diameter towarda central portion of the plug seal 140. The plug seal 140 includes anopening 141 formed therethrough for receiving the body 101 of the fluidconduit 100. The plug seal 140 is also formed to have a split-collarconstruction to allow the plug seal 140 to be placed around the body 101of the fluid conduit 100. The plug seal 140 may further include teeth147 extending radially inwardly for providing a secure seal between thefluid conduit 100 and the plug seal 140. The plug seal 140 is installedinto the recesses 78, including the widened portions 79, of adjacentones of the structural panels 60, wherein the flanged portions 142preload the conically shaped portions of the plug seal 140 against theconically shaped portions of the recesses 78 to ensure a secure seal. Asuitable adhesive or other suitable sealing material may be appliedbetween the plug seal 40 and the fluid conduit 100 or the plug seal 40and the structural panel 60 to ensure a secure seal, as desired

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative way to form a seal around the fluidconduit 100. A foam wrap 110 backed with adhesive tape may be wrappedaround the body 101 of the fluid conduit 100. The foam wrap 110 may besimilar to traditional weather stripping type foam. The foam wrap 110may be formed from closed cell foam configured to prevent water ingressinto one of the channels 80. The foam wrap 110 may have a substantiallyrectangular shape capable of being curled into a substantiallycylindrical shape to fit around the body 101 of the fluid conduit 100.The foam wrap 110 is placed around the fluid conduit 100 and then thefluid conduit 100 and the foam wrap 110 are both placed into the channel80 of one of the structural panels 60 at one of the connection points 70thereof. The foam wrap 110 provides an interference fit blockage betweenthe structural panel 60 and the fluid conduit 100, which providesassured sealing.

FIGS. 10A-10D illustrate a drip pan 54 configured to collect moisturethat may accumulate on the functional panels 20. The moisture formed onthe functional panels 20 may be from precipitation, melted snow or ice,or condensate that forms on the functional panels 20 during a coolingoperation thereof. Removal of the moisture mitigates a slipping hazardforming on the functional panels 20. The drip pan 54 includes aninclined surface 56 that leads to a drain (not shown). The drip pan 54is disposed beneath the structural panels 60 to allow any moistureaccumulated on the functional panels 20 to be gravity fed past thestructural panels 60 and toward the drip pan 54. The moisture is shownin FIGS. 10A-10D as a plurality of circular droplets falling toward thedrip pan 54. The drip pan 54 may include a heating element 44 formedadjacent the inclined surface 56 for ensuring that any moistureaccumulated within the drip pan 54 is directed toward the drain inliquid form or evaporated. The heating element 44 may be in signalcommunication with each of a controller 45 and a sensor 46. The sensor46 may be configured to determine a condition of the drip pan 54 such asa temperature of the drip pan 54. The controller 45 may be configured toactivate the heating element 44 when the sensor 46 determines that acondition of the drip pan 54 has occurred, such as the temperature ofthe drip pan 54 reaching a preselected value. In other embodiments, thecontroller 45 may be configured to activate the heating element 44 whenprompted by the user or during predetermined time intervals that may beprogrammed into the controller 45. The controller 45 may also beremotely controlled. The remote control of the controller 45 may beaccomplished using a mobile device having a suitable application and asuitable wireless communication method, such as Bluetooth®.

In order to facilitate the gravity feeding of the moisture toward thedrip pan 54, each of the functional panels 20 illustrated in FIG. 10Aincludes a convex outer face 22 configured to direct the moisture toopenings 58 formed between adjacent ends of the functional panels 20 andthe structural panels 60, wherein the openings 58 are in fluidcommunication with the drip pan 54. FIG. 10B illustrates an alternativearrangement wherein each of the functional panels 20 includes aninclined outer face 22 sharing the same angle of inclination. Theinclined outer face 22 of each of the functional panels 20 directs themoisture to one of the openings 58 formed between adjacent ends of thefunctional panels 20 and the structural panels 60. FIG. 10C illustratesan arrangement that is nearly identical to that of FIG. 10B except thatadjacent pairs of the functional panels 20 include inclined outer faces22 that lead to a common opening 58 formed therebetween. FIG. 10Dillustrates an arrangement wherein the functional panels 20 have asubstantially linear outer face 22 that is arranged substantiallyparallel to a ground surface (not shown), wherein each of the functionalpanels 20 and each of the structural panels 60 include a plurality ofholes 59 formed therethrough and in fluid communication with the drippan 54. Accordingly, moisture may flow directly from the outer face 22of each of the functional panels 20, through each of the holes 59 formedthrough both the functional panels 20 and the structural panels 60, andinto the drip pan 54.

FIG. 11 schematically illustrates a representative application of thetemperature controlled structure assembly 10. An array of the structuralpanels 60 is installed in a manner wherein the connection points 70 ofadjacent ones of the structural panels 60 are aligned to form thecontinuous channel 81. The fluid conduit 100 is routed through thecontinuous channel 81, wherein the fluid conduit 100 enters the array ofstructural panels 60 at an inlet 35 and exits the array of structuralpanels 60 at an outlet 36. Although not pictured, an array of thefunctional panels 20 is installed over the array of structural panels 60to cover the fluid conduit 100 and the continuous channel 81.Additionally, at least one of the plug seal 40, the plug seal 140, orthe foam wrap 110 may be used to seal each of the connection points 70of each of the structural panels 60.

The fluid conduit 100 forms a portion of a primary loop 121 of a firstfluid line. The first fluid line includes a first segment 111 comprisingthe fluid conduit 100 extending from the inlet 35 to the outlet 36 alongthe continuous channel 81, a second segment 112 formed external to thefluid conduit 100 and extending between the outlet 36 and a pump 50, athird segment 113 formed external to the fluid conduit 100 and extendingbetween the pump 50 and a heat exchanger 55, and a fourth segment 114formed external to the fluid conduit 100 and extending between the heatexchanger 55 and the inlet 35. The pump 50 may be any known devicesuitable for mechanically moving the first fluid through the fluidconduit 100. The pump 50 may be in signal communication with acontroller 57. The controller 57 may be configured to activate the pump50 only when a surface of the functional panels 20 is above or below apredetermined temperature value or when a predetermined condition is metregarding the surface of the functional panels 20. Accordingly, thetemperature controlled structure assembly 10 may be in communicationwith a sensor 38 configured to monitor a condition of the surface of thefunctional panels 20. The sensor 38 may accordingly be a temperaturesensor which communicates with the controller 57 to determine when thepump 50 is activated. As such, the controller 57 may be preprogrammed toonly activate the pump 50 at a certain temperature in accordance with adesired comfort level of the user. The sensor 38 may alternatively beused to determine other conditions of the functional panels 20 such aswhether moisture is present or whether the functional panels 20 arecurrently exposed to sun light, as non-limiting examples. The firstfluid may be contained entirely within the conduits or piping formingthe primary loop 121 or the primary loop 121 may optionally include afluid reservoir 125 in fluid communication with the fluid conduit 100for supplying the first fluid. In some embodiments, the reservoir 125may be replaced with a fluid tower (water tower) or other similarstructure. The fluid tower may be used to store a quantity of the firstfluid at a suitable height for pressurizing the first fluid prior to theintroduction of the first fluid into the continuous channel 81. In suchan arrangement, the pump 50 may be disposed upstream of the fluid toweracting as the fluid reservoir 125 in contrast to the arrangement shownin FIG. 11. The pump 50 may therefore be used to pump the first fluid tothe required height within the fluid tower to adequately pressurize thefirst fluid. The use of a fluid tower advantageously saves energy whenoperating the temperature controlled structure assembly 10 byeliminating continuous operation of the pump 50 to direct the firstfluid through the primary loop 121. Instead, the pump 50 is operatedonly during the filling process of the fluid tower, and subsequentoperation of the temperature controlled structure assembly 10 may beperformed by allowing the pressurized first fluid to flow out of thefluid tower and through the primary loop 121.

The fluid conduit 100 may be formed to be continuous with no interveningfluid connections formed between the inlet 35 and the outlet 36 alongthe first segment 111. Accordingly, the continuously formed portion ofthe fluid conduit 100 extending along the first segment 111 may berouted into the continuous channel 81 and secured thereto via the tabs102 without requiring the use of multiple segments of piping orconduits. The installation process is therefore greatly simplified asmultiple fluid connections are not required to be made within theinternal structure of the temperature controlled structure assembly 10.

The heat exchanger 55 includes a portion of the first fluid line alongthe primary loop 121 in heat exchange relationship with a secondary loop122. The secondary loop 122 is in fluid communication with a heating orcooling source 124. The heating or cooling source 124 may for example bea fluid reservoir, as desired. A second fluid is caused to flow from theheating or cooling source 124 and through the secondary loop 122 toexchange heat energy with the first fluid flowing through the fluidconduit 100. The second fluid may be caused to flow through thesecondary loop 122 by a pump 126 or other similar device, as desired.The pump 126 may be in signal communication with the controller 57,wherein the controller 57 is configured to activate the pump 126 whenrequired.

In use, the pump 50 is activated by the user or by the controller 57when the sensor 38 determines that a preselected condition of thefunctional panels 20 has been met. The activation of the pump 50 causesthe first fluid to flow from the pump 50 and through the heat exchanger55. The user or the controller 57 may also optionally activate the pump126 to ensure that the second fluid is caused to circulate through thesecondary loop 122. When in the heat exchanger 55, the first fluidexchanges heat energy with the second fluid. The first fluid then flowsfrom the heat exchanger 55 and to the inlet 35. The first fluid thenflows through the fluid conduit 100 along the continuous channel 81while exchanging heat energy with the functional panels 20 and thestructural panels 60, thereby heating or cooling the exposed functionalpanels 20 depending on the temperature of the first fluid relative tothe temperature of the functional panels 20. The first fluid then flowsout of the array of structural panels 60 via the outlet 36 beforereentering the pump 50 and undergoing another cycle through the primaryloop 121. As explained hereinabove, the first fluid may also flow intoor originate from a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the pump50, as desired.

The arrangement shown in FIG. 11 may be used for a variety ofapplications. The temperature controlled structure assembly 10 may forexample be used to cool a boardwalk or other similar structure disposedadjacent to a body of water such as an ocean, a pond, a lake, or thelike. In many instances, the boardwalk or a similar structure may becomeexcessively hot following a period of exposure to sunlight, therebymaking it uncomfortable for a person to walk over the boardwalk,especially when barefoot. Additionally, it should be understood that alarge body of water, such as the ocean, typically has a much lowertemperature following exposure to the sun than a structure such as aboardwalk undergoing the same exposure.

Accordingly, the body of water may form the heating or cooling source124 forming the portion of the secondary loop 122 and the second fluidmay be ocean water, pond water, river water, or lake water having atemperature lower than the temperature of the functional panels 20forming the boardwalk. In contrast, the first fluid flowing through thefirst fluid line of the primary loop 121 may be a fluid such as brine,fresh water, a glycol-water mix, or oil that has been filtered orotherwise provided with a low level of contaminants or debris that maycause damage to any part of the temperature controlled structureassembly 10. The heat exchanger 55 may therefore be utilized in place ofdirectly pumping the ocean water, pond water, river water, or lake waterthrough the first fluid line and the fluid conduit 100 to prevent theintroduction of debris present in the body of water which may causefailure of the temperature controlled structure assembly 10. The use ofthe heat exchanger 55 therefore removes the need for the installation ofadditional filtration devices or the use of additional disinfectingsolutions or components. The temperature controlled structure assembly10 therefore advantageously takes advantage of the naturally occurringdifference in temperature between the body of water and the functionalpanels 20, thereby allowing for the cooling of the functional panels 20without the need for any additional refrigeration devices that mayotherwise require additional energy to be supplied to the temperaturecontrolled structure assembly 10.

The heat exchanger 55 illustrated in FIG. 11 may be replaced with anyheat exchanging device such as a heating device (not shown) or a coolingdevice (not shown) if the use of a secondary loop 122 and the secondfluid is not required. The first fluid line of the primary loop 121 maybe in fluid communication with the heating or cooling device in a mannerwherein the first fluid exits the heating or cooling device with ahigher or lower temperature than when it entered the heating or coolingdevice. Accordingly, the heating or cooling device may be used todirectly heat or cool the first fluid in order for the first fluid to beused to heat or cool the functional panels 20. The heating or coolingdevice may accordingly be disposed along any portion of the primary loop121 with the exception of the first segment 111 comprising the fluidconduit 100. If a heating device is used, the heating device may be aboiler, a heat pump, an electrical heater, or a device configured toutilize solar energy to produce heat. The boiler may be fueled byheating oil or natural gas, for example, as desired. The electricalheater may be resistance type or positive temperature coefficient (PTC)type. As one representative example, the temperature controlledstructure assembly 10 illustrated in FIG. 11 may be adapted for use witha hot water heater disposed near the arrays of the structural panels 60and the functional panels 20. The hot water heater may for example beassociated with a home or building structure disposed adjacent anexposed portion of decking or other similar structures forming a portionof the temperature controlled structure assembly 10, as a non-limitingexample. The hot water heater may act as both the fluid reservoir 125and the heat exchanger 55, wherein water present within a reservoir ofthe hot water heater is heated by traditional methods within the hotwater heater before the water is directed toward the arrays of thestructural panels 60 and the functional panels 20. Once heat energy fromthe water has been exchanged with the functional panels 20 to heat thefunctional panels 20, the water may then be redirected to the waterreservoir of the hot water heater to repeat the heating process, therebyrecycling the water for additional cycles of heating the functionalpanels 20. As should be understood, the use of the hot water heater asthe heat exchanger 55 may eliminate the need for the secondary loop 122having the second fluid. Alternatively, the hot water heater may insteadform a portion of the secondary loop 122. For example, the waterreservoir of the hot water heater may form the heating or cooling source124 and the water heated by the hot water heater may be directed throughthe heat exchanger 55 as the second fluid. The heated water as thesecond fluid then exchanges heat with the first fluid flowing throughthe primary loop 121. Such an arrangement may be used when the firstfluid flowing the primary loop 121, such as glycol or brine, is notsuitable for introduction into the hot water heater directly as such afluid may cause damage to the hot water heater. If a cooling device isused, the cooling device may be a chiller or an air conditioning system,for example, as desired. The chiller may for instance use a supply ofice to cool the first fluid. In addition to those heating devices andthose cooling devices disclosed herein, it should be understood that anysuitable heating or cooling device suitable for heating or cooling acirculating fluid may be used, as desired.

FIG. 12 schematically illustrates an alternative arrangement of thetemperature controlled structure assembly 10. The array of thestructural panels 60 is identical to that shown in FIG. 11 and includesthe continuous channel 81 having the inlet 35 and the outlet 36. Insimilar fashion to FIG. 11, the functional panels 20 have been omittedfrom FIG. 12 for clarity, but the functional panels 20 are preferablydisposed over the array of the structural panels 60 following assemblythereof. The fluid line forms a primary loop 221 including a firstsegment 211 including the fluid conduit 100 and extending from the inlet35 to the outlet 36 along the continuous channel 81, a second segment212 formed external to the fluid conduit 100 and extending between theoutlet 36 and a fluid source 224, a third segment 213 formed external tothe fluid conduit 100 and extending between the fluid source 224 and apump 250, and a fourth segment 214 formed external to the fluid conduit100 and extending between the pump 250 and the inlet 35. The pump 250may be any known device suitable for mechanically moving the first fluidthrough the fluid line. The pump 250 may be controlled by a controller257. The controller 257 may be in signal communication with a sensor 238configured to determine a condition of the functional panels 20 todetermine when the pump 250 is activated.

In use, the pump 250 is activated by the user or by the controller 257when a preselected condition of the functional panels 20 is met. Thepump 250 causes the first fluid to flow from the fluid source 224 and tothe inlet 35 where the first fluid flows through the fluid conduit 100along the continuous channel 81. The first fluid exchanges heat energywith the functional panels 20 and the structural panels 60, therebyheating or cooling the exposed functional panels 20 depending on thetemperature of the first fluid relative to the temperature of thefunctional panels 20. The first fluid then flows out of the array ofstructural panels 60 via the outlet 36 before reentering the fluidsource 224 and then the pump 250. The first fluid then continues tocirculate through the primary loop 221 while continuously exchangingheat energy with the functional panels 20.

The arrangement illustrated in FIG. 12 may be used for a variety ofapplications. The temperature controlled structure assembly 10 may forexample be used to cool a pool-side deck or other similar structuredisposed adjacent a swimming pool. In many instances, the deck maybecome excessively hot following a period of exposure to sunlight,thereby making it uncomfortable for a person to walk over the deck,especially when barefoot. The water contained within the swimming pooltypically has a significantly lower temperature than the surface of thedeck.

Accordingly, the deck may be formed from the array of the structuralpanels 60 and functional panels 20 and the fluid source 224 may beformed from the swimming pool. The exposed functional panels 20 formingthe deck surface may be provided to have a dark color suitable forabsorbing solar rays. In contrast to the use of ocean water, pond water,river water, or lake water, many swimming pools include filtrationdevices or de-contaminating agents that continuously clean the watercontained within the swimming pool. Accordingly, the water containedwithin the swimming pool may be circulated directly through the fluidconduit 100 without the need of an additional heat exchanger orheating/cooling device. This arrangement advantageously allows for thecooler water contained within the swimming pool to be used to cool thefunctional panels 20. As the pool water cools the functional panels 20,the heat energy from the functional panels 20 is provided to the poolwater, causing the pool water exiting the fluid conduit 100 at theoutlet 36 to have a higher temperature than the pool water at either ofthe fluid source 224 (swimming pool) or the inlet 35. Accordingly, thepool water re-enters the fluid source 224 (swimming pool) at a highertemperature, thereby aiding in heating the pool water. As such, thearrangement shown in FIG. 12 both cools the deck formed from thefunctional panels 20 while simultaneously heating the swimming pool viathe circulation of the pool water.

Additionally, the use of the swimming pool as the fluid source 224 mayaid in heating the deck formed from the structural panels 60 and thefunctional panels 20 during extended periods of non-exposure to the sun.For example, during nighttime hours the functional panels 20 of the deckmay eventually reach a temperature that is lower than that of the watercontained within the swimming pool. As such, the water from the swimmingpool may be continually circulated through the deck to aid in heatingthe deck, thereby improving the comfort of a user walking on the deckduring the nighttime hours.

In some circumstances the user may desire to not circulate the poolwater through the temperature controlled structure assembly 10. In suchcircumstances, the swimming pool may instead take the place of the fluidsource 124 in the arrangement shown in FIG. 11, allowing for heat energyto be exchanged between the pool water and another fluid caused tocirculate through the primary loop 121. In such an arrangement it mayfurther be useful to install an indirect heat transferring tank orvessel, as desired.

Although not pictured in FIG. 12, a heating or cooling device similar tothose described with reference to FIG. 11 may be included in the primaryloop 121 at any point outside of the first segment 111 formed betweenthe inlet 35 and the outlet 36. The heating or cooling device may beconfigured to further aid in heating or cooling the first fluidoriginating from the fluid source 224, as desired.

Referring now to FIGS. 13-15, the temperature controlled structureassembly 10 may further be adapted for use with a heat exchangingelement in the form of the electrical element 300, wherein theelectrical element 300 is an electrical device capable of radiating orconducting heat energy to or from an adjacent or adjoining surface, suchas surfaces of the functional panels 20 or the structural panels 60. Theelectrical element 300 is configured to be disposed within and routedthroughout the continuous channel 81 formed by the cooperation of thearray of the structural panels 60 forming the temperature controlledstructure assembly 10. The electrical element 300 may in similar fashionto the fluid conduit 100 be formed from a flexible wire or otherflexible electrical device that is capable of being routed through avariety of different bends or turns of the channels 80. Alternatively,the electrical element 300 may be formed from a substantially inflexiblecomponent having a shape and size suitable for being fit within thecontinuous channel 81 of the temperature controlled structure assembly10. If an inflexible component is used, it should be understood that theinflexible component may require a cross-sectional shape correspondingto a cross-sectional shape of the channels 80 formed in the structuralpanels 60 and a profile substantially corresponding to a peripheralshape of the continuous channel 81 to allow the inflexible component tobe fitted to the specific pattern of the continuous channel 81 includingany bends or turns formed therein.

The electrical element 300 may include any suitable devices for eitherheating and/or cooling the structural panels 60 and the functionalpanels 20 forming the temperature controlled structure assembly 10. Theelectrical element 300 may accordingly include a thermoelectric elementsuch as a solid state electrical resistance heater or a Peltier effectrefrigeration element, as non-limiting examples. In some instances, theelectrical element 300 may include two or more electrical componentsdisposed therein such as a combination of a solid state electricalresistance heater and a Peltier effect refrigeration element within thesame element to provide for combined heating and cooling modes.Accordingly, the electrical element 300 may be configured for heating orcooling the functional panels 20, as desired, depending on the type ofelectrical element 300 used.

As best shown in FIG. 14, the electrical element 300 may include ahousing 320 having at least one chamber 330 formed therein and extendingalong a length of the electrical element 300. The housing 320 may beformed from a flexible material also capable of conducting heat energytherethrough. Each of the at least one chambers 330 may be configured tohouse at least one electrical component 325 therein. The electricalcomponent 325 may in some circumstances be an electrical heating and/orcooling device entirely disposed within one of the chambers 330 or theelectrical component 325 may be only a wire or other electricalconnecting device associated with another electrical component 325disposed within another one of the chambers 330. The housing 320 mayalso be formed to be electrically insulating along some regions thereofto prevent electrical interference between one of the chambers 330 andanother. In some cases, the electrical element 300 may be formed to notinclude a housing 320. Instead, the electrical element 300 may be formedfrom an electrical component 325 requiring no additional insulation orinterfacing formed between the electrical component 325 and the surfaceof the structural panels 60 and the functional panels 20 bounding eachof the channels 80.

FIG. 13 illustrates an array of two of the structural panels 60 arrangedto form a continuous channel 81. The electrical element 300 includesboth a positive lead 301 and a negative lead 302 disposed therein andextending along a length of the electrical element 300, as shownschematically in FIG. 13. The positive lead 301 and the negative lead302 may be routed through the same or separate chambers 330 formedwithin the electrical element 300. The positive lead 301 and thenegative lead 302 are each electrically connected to a power source 310configured to provide electrical energy to the electrical element 300 inorder to produce a desired current through the electrical element 300.The power source 310 may be an electrical outlet or a battery, asnon-limiting examples.

The electrical element 300 illustrated in FIG. 13 is flexible andcapable of being routed through each of the turns of the continuouschannel 81, which is illustrated as having a series of U-shaped turnsformed between adjacent ones of the structural panels 60. A distal end305 of the electrical element 300 includes an end turnaround segment306. The end turnaround segment 306 connects the positive lead 301 tothe negative lead 302 to form a complete loop including the power source310. Accordingly, the electrical element 300 may be caused to perform aheating function and/or a cooling function, depending on the type ofelectrical element 300 used and the preferred operational mode thereof(if the electrical element 300 is configured to perform both a heatingand a cooling operation). Although the electrical element 300 is shownin FIG. 13 as having a single positive lead 301 and a single negativelead 302, the electrical element 300 may be formed to include additionalwiring for two or more electrical devices and each separate pairing ofelectrical components may be configured to be connected with theinclusion of the end turnaround segment 306. For example, the electricalelement 300 may be formed to include wiring for both an electricalresistance heater and a Peltier effect refrigerator unit, eachpotentially disposed in different chambers 330 of the electrical element300, for combined heating and cooling capabilities from a single routingof the electrical element 300.

As illustrated in FIGS. 13-15, the electrical element 300 may include aplurality of flanged portions in the form of tangentially outwardlyextending tabs 312. The tabs 312 may include a plurality of apertures313 formed therein for securing the electrical element 300 to thestructural panels 60. The tabs 312 may be formed integrally with thehousing 320 of the electrical element 300 or the tabs 312 may be formedseparately and then coupled to the remainder of the electrical element300 or the housing 320 thereof. In either circumstance, the flexibilityof the electrical element 300 and the use of the tabs 312 allow for theelectrical element 300 to be routed within the continuous channel 81 andsecured to the structural panels 60 in almost identical fashion to thefluid conduit 100. Accordingly, it should be understood that theelectrical element 300 may be used in place of the fluid conduit 100 asshown and described in FIGS. 1-12 while remaining within the scope ofthe present invention.

Furthermore, the use of a housing 320 having a plurality of chambers 330formed therein allows for one of the chambers 330 of the housing 320 toact as the continuous fluid conduit 100. Accordingly, the temperaturecontrolled structure assembly 10 may be configured for both fluidcirculation and electrical heating or cooling within the same structure.In other embodiments, the continuous channel 81 may be formed to have across-section suitable for receiving each of a fluid conduit 100 and oneof the electrical elements 300 therein, separately and distinctly.

The power source 310 of the electrical element 300 may be associatedwith or in signal communication with a controller 357. The controller357 may for instance be a thermostat or other similar device used toactivate or provide power to the electrical element 300 when a sensor338 associated with the temperature controlled structure assembly 10detects that a preselected condition has been met, such as thetemperature of the functional panels 20 reaching a preselectedtemperature. The controller 357 controls the power source 310 to controlthe use of the electrical element 300. The controller 357 may furtherinclude a push button interface (not shown) for allowing the user toselect desired settings and to pre-program the controller 357. In otherembodiments, the controller 357 may be controlled via remote control.One method of remotely controlling the controller 357 may include theuse of a mobile device application configured to communicate wirelesslywith the controller 357. The mobile device application may for instancecommunicate with the controller 357 via Bluetooth®, as a non-limitingexample. Other wireless methods of communication may be used as desired.

FIG. 15 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the electrical element300, wherein the electrical element 300 is divided into a plurality ofelectrical segments 340 each having a mating feature 345 disposed ateach end thereof for connecting the positive lead 305 and the negativelead 306 of each of the electrical segments 340 to each other. Themating feature 345 may be any known form of electrical connectorsuitable for forming an electrical connection. After the mating features345 of the adjacent electrical segments 340 are coupled to each other, apiece of electrical tape or a weatherproof sheath, such as the foam wrap110, may be placed over the intersection of the electrical segments 340to protect the electrical element 300 from moisture or other potentialdamaging agents. Each of the electrical segments 340 illustrated in FIG.15 extends along the channel 80 of a single one of the structural panels60, causing each of the electrical segments 340 to adjoin an adjacentone of the electrical segments 340 at the peripheral edge 65 of each ofthe structural panels 60. The plurality of electrical segments 340 arecombined end to end to form one electrical element 300 having an endsuitable for receiving one of the end turnaround segments 306 tocomplete the circuit with the power source 310.

The use of the plurality of electrical segments 340 allows for theelectrical segments 340 to be incorporated into the structural panels 60as a single unit. For example, each of the structural panels 60 may havea desired size and shape for forming a desired structure and each of thestructural panels 60 may have one of the electrical segments 340securely coupled thereto and terminating at the mating features 345 ateach end thereof. As shown in FIG. 15, each of the structural panels 60may be selected such that each of the electrical segments 340 disposedtherein are properly configured to be aligned and mated with theelectrical segment 340 or segments 340 of an adjacent one of thestructural panels 340. Accordingly, instead of routing one continuousfluid conduit 100 or electrical element 300 through the continuouschannel 81 the use of the plurality of the electrical segments 340allows for the heating or cooling device and the structural panels 60 tobe installed in a single operation. One of the end turnaround segments306 may be mated to the final electrical segment 340 to form a completecircuit including the power source 310. Accordingly, it should beunderstood that the structural panels 60 selected for forming thetemperature controlled structure assembly 10 may be selected to havecertain lengths or channel patterns to accommodate the installation of adesired structure.

It should further be understood that the housing 320 of the electricalelement 300 may be disposed through any of the plug seal 40, the plugseal 140, or the foam wrap 110 at each of the connection points 70 toadequately seal the electrical element 300 from encroachment fromenvironmental factors such as the introduction of moisture or the entryof a pest such as an insect.

One potential advantage of the use of the electrical element 300 inplace of the fluid conduit 100 is that the electrical element 300 can berouted into the array of the structural panels 60 through a single entrypoint in the form of one of the connection points 70 formed in one ofthe structural panels 60 formed at a peripheral edge thereof facingoutwardly from the array. The use of a single entry point into the arrayreduces a complexity of an assembly process of the temperaturecontrolled structure assembly 10.

Although the temperature controlled structure assembly 10 has thus farbeen described as being used in building structures having asubstantially planar arrangement of the functional panels 20 and thestructural panels 60, it should be understood that the temperaturecontrolled structure assembly 10 may be used in a variety of3-dimensional configurations due to the flexibility of design availablewith the use of a structural panels 60 having a variety of differentsizes, shapes, and configurations of channels 80 formed therein.

For example, FIG. 16 illustrates the temperature controlled structureassembly 10 having the configuration of a traditional staircase 31. Eachstep 32 of the staircase 31 is formed from at least one of thestructural panels 60 formed into a planar structure and spaced apartfrom an adjacent one of the steps 32 in a vertical direction. FIG. 16illustrates each of the steps 32 as being formed from three of thestructural panels 60, but other configurations may be used withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. The fluid conduit 100(which is illustrated schematically in FIG. 16) is routed through eachof the channels 80 formed in each of the steps 32 and further extendsbetween adjacent ones of the steps 32 in the form of a plurality offluid connections 108. As explained hereinabove, the fluid conduit 100is formed from one continuous conduit having no intervening connectionsor coupling features to ensure that no leaks or faulty connections areable to form between the inlet 35 of the array of the structural panels60 and the outlet 36 of the array of structural panels 60. Accordingly,each of the fluid connections 108 is merely a portion of the fluidconduit 100 that is routed nearly vertically outside of the horizontallyarranged steps. As shown in FIG. 16, the fluid connections 108 may berouted through a nearly vertically arranged structural panel 60. Thestructural panel 60 may be an end panel 109, wherein the end panel 109includes a vertically arranged or diagonally arranged channel 80suitable for routing the fluid conduit 100 nearly vertically ordiagonally at each of the fluid connections 108.

The staircase 31 may further include a rail 135 formed from one or moreof the structural panels 60 having a channel 80 formed therein forrouting the fluid conduit 100 therein. The fluid conduit 100 may forexample be routed from the outlet 36 and to the rail 135 using one ofthe fluid connections 108. It should be understood that the structuralpanel 60 foaming the rail 135 in FIG. 16 includes at least onefunctional panel 20 disposed thereover (not shown). The rail 135 mayaccordingly be cooled or heated using the fluid conduit 100. The rail135 may accordingly be configured to heat or cool the hand of the userin accordance with a desired comfort level of the user or to thaw anysnow or ice that may accumulate on the rail 135.

Because the fluid conduit 100 is formed as one continuous conduitwithout intervening connectors or divisions, formation of the staircaseillustrated in FIG. 16 preferably includes first installing each of thestructural panels 60 in the desired configuration to form each of thesteps 32. Next, the continuous fluid conduit 100 is routed through eachof the channels 80 of each of the structural panels 60 forming the steps32 from the inlet 35 to the outlet 36, including routing the fluidconduit 100 vertically at each of the fluid connections 108. Once thefluid conduit 100 is properly positioned and secured to the structuralpanels 60, the functional panels 20 may be disposed over the structuralpanels 60 and coupled thereto. If used, the end panels 109 may also beinstalled to the side surfaces of the structural panels 60 to enclosethe fluid conduit 100 between each of the adjacent steps 32. As shouldbe understood, the staircase form of the temperature controlledstructure assembly 10 may be adapted for use with the arrangementillustrated in FIG. 11 or the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 12, asdesired. The temperature controlled structure assembly 10 may be adaptedfor use with any fluid system capable of supplying the first fluid tothe inlet 35 and receiving the first fluid from the outlet 36.

Additionally, instead of the fluid conduit 100, the temperaturecontrolled structure assembly illustrated in FIG. 16 may instead utilizethe electrical element 300, which may be routed through the continuouschannel 81 in the same fashion as the fluid conduit 100. The electricalelement 300 may also similarly be routed vertically to connect eachadjacent one of the steps 32 forming the staircase 31.

Although not pictured, it should be understood that the temperaturecontrolled structure assembly 10 may further be adapted for use in aramp or other similar structure suitable for being traversed by awheelchair or motorized vehicle. The ramp may be produced by installingan array of the structural panels 60 and the functional panels 20 at anangle relative to the ground surface or the underlying structural frame12. The ramp may for instance have the foam of the three structuralpanels 60 illustrated in FIG. 2 and arranged at an angle relative to theground surface.

FIG. 17 illustrates the temperature controlled structure assembly 10having the configuration of a compact spiral staircase 33 formed from aplurality of steps 34. Each of the steps 34 of the spiral staircase isformed from a substantially wedge-shaped or pie-shaped structural panel60 having a winding channel 80 formed therein. Alternatively, each ofthe steps 34 may be formed from a plurality of the structural panels 60,as desired. Each of the connections points 70 of the winding channel 80are formed along a portion of each of the structural panels 60configured to be mounted to a vertically arranged support column 103.The support column 103 is hollow and includes a plurality of openings104 formed in an outer surface thereof. In some instances, an accessport 115 may be formed in the support column 103 opposite each of theopenings 104. The access port 115 is configured to allow for access toan interior of the support column 103 when a user desires to manipulatethose components of the spiral staircase 33 extending through thesupport column 103. Each of the access ports 115 may be covered by aremovable access cap 105 configured to conceal the internal componentsof the spiral staircase 33 contained within the support column 103. Thestructural panels 60 are spaced apart from one another along a length ofthe support column and are spaced angularly about the support column toform a helical pattern of the structural panels 60, thereby creating ahelical pattern of the steps 34 forming the spiral staircase 33.

The spiral staircase 33 is installed by first routing the fluid conduit100 (which is shown schematically in FIG. 17) through the hollow supportcolumn 103 before then routing the fluid conduit 100 out of one of theopenings 104 and into the channel 80 of one of the structural panels 60.The fluid conduit 100 is secured within the channel 80 of the structuralpanel 60 and is then rerouted back into the support column 103 via thesame one of the openings 104. The fluid conduit 100 extends betweenadjacent ones of the openings 104 in the form of one of the fluidconnections 108. One or more of the functional panels 20 may then bedisposed over each of the structural panels 60 forming the steps 34 andthe entire structure forming each step 34, including the functionalpanels 20 and structural panels 60, may then be coupled to the supportcolumn 103. The fluid conduit 100 is then routed to the next adjacentone of the openings 104 and the process is repeated until the spiralstaircase 33 is complete. In similar fashion to the traditionalstaircase 31, the spiral staircase 33 may be formed using one continuousfluid conduit 100 extending between the inlet 35 and the outlet 36.Additionally, the spiral staircase configuration of the temperaturecontrolled structure assembly 10 may be adapted for use with thearrangement illustrated in FIG. 11 or the arrangement illustrated inFIG. 12, as desired. The temperature controlled structure assembly 10may be adapted for use with any fluid system capable of supplying thefirst fluid to the inlet 35 and receiving the first fluid from theoutlet 36.

Additionally, instead of the fluid conduit 100, the temperaturecontrolled structure assembly illustrated in FIG. 5 may instead utilizethe electrical element 300, which may be routed through the continuouschannel 81 in the same fashion as the fluid conduit 100. The electricalelement 300 may also similarly be routed vertically through the supportcolumn 103 to connect each adjacent step 34 forming the spiral staircase33.

The structural panels 60 and the functional panels 20 may also beconfigured into a bench or other seating surface. In similar fashion tothe traditional staircase 31, the seating surface may be in the form ofat least one of the structural panels 60 coupled to at least one of thefunctional panels 20 and spaced apart from a remainder of the structurein a vertical direction. Accordingly, the seating surface may beconnected to the remainder of the assembly by means of one of theconnections 108 extending between different portions of the structure.

FIG. 18 illustrates the temperature controlled structure assembly 10having the configuration of a pallet 37. The pallet 37 includes a planararray of the structural panels 60 disposed on a plurality of spacedapart cross-members 14 forming the structural frame 12 of the pallet 37.Although not pictured, it should be understood that at least one of thefunctional panels 20 is subsequently coupled to the array of thestructural panels 60 to cover each of the channels 80 formed therein.The pallet 37 may be configured for use with the fluid conduit 100, theelectrical element 300, or a combination thereof, as desired.

The pallet 37 may be used to mitigate against the formation of frost onan article disposed on the pallet 37. For example, the pallet 37 may beconfigured to support a plurality of plants in need of heating, such asa plurality of flowers. Accordingly, the channels 80 of the structuralpanels 60 forming the pallet 37 may receive the electrical element 300having a heating function therein or the channels 80 may receive thefluid conduit 100 when the fluid conduit 100 is connected to a heatingsource similar to the arrangement shown in FIG. 11. The fluid conduit100 or the electrical element 300 may therefore be used to heat theplants, thereby reducing the formation of damaging frost on the plants.In addition to the heating function, the pallet 37 may alternatively beconfigured to cool an article disposed on the pallet 37, as desired.

As shown in FIG. 18, the pallet 37 may further be configured into acrate structure with the addition of a plurality of sidewalls 48 and alid 49. The sidewalls 48 and the lid 49 are illustrated as being formedfrom a plurality of the structural panels 60 having the channels 80formed therein. The sidewalls 48 and the lid 49 are shown as beingcomprised only of the structural panels 60, but it should be understoodthat the structural panels 60 may subsequently be covered with at leastone of the functional panels 20 to conceal the channels 80 formedtherein, as desired. Additionally, in some embodiments the sidewalls 48and the lid 49 may not include a layer of the structural panels 60, butinstead may be comprised exclusively of functional panels 20 used toenclose an interior the crate. It should also be understood that thecrate structure may be formed without the use of the cross-members 14forming the structural frame 12 of the crate structure. Instead, thecrate may be comprised only of the five or six surfaces enclosing theinterior of the crate structure, as desired.

The sidewalls 48 and the lid 49 may each be formed to have correspondingconnection points 70 allowing the channels 80 formed in the differentsurfaces of the crate to form a continuous channel 81 through the baseof the pallet 37, the sidewalls 48, and the lid 49, as desired.Accordingly, the crate may be formed into a configuration where anarticle contained within the crate is surrounded on multiple sides bythe structural panels 60 having at least one of the fluid conduit 100 orthe electrical element 300 disposed therein. The crate may accordinglybe used to heat or cool the article contained therein, as desired.

In some embodiments, a plurality of the pallet structures 37 or aplurality of the crate structures may be arranged adjacent each otherand configured for use with a plurality of the electrical elements 300.Preferably, each of the electrical elements 300 may branch out from acommon power source before being routed to one of the pallet or cratestructures. Accordingly, a single power source may be used to heat aplurality of the pallet or crate structures concurrently by simply“plugging in” each of the pallet or crate structures to the associatedpower source. This feature may be suitable for the heating (or cooling,as desired) of a plurality of shipping containers or the like formedinto the pallet structure or the crate structure when such containersare in need of heating, especially at some point during a deliveryprocess thereof. For example, such shipping containers may accordinglybe formed into a sea container suitable for being stored and transportedin a vessel suitable for use in or on navigable waters, wherein thephrase “navigable waters” refers to any body of water capable ofaffording passage to a boat, ship, or other water-based craft. The seacontainer may accordingly be heated or cooled during shipment thereofwhile the sea container is stored within such a vessel. The seacontainer may for example be stored within a hull of a merchant vesselused to navigate an ocean, sea, river, lake, or other navigable body.

The sea container may alternatively be adapted for use with the fluidconduit 100 in place of the electrical element 300. The fluid conduit100 may be routed through each of the channels 80 of several adjacentstructural panels 60 meeting at corresponding connection points 70. Insome embodiments, the fluid conduit 100 may be routed from one of thesea containers to an adjacent one of the sea containers, therebyeliminating the need for additional fluid connections that may besubject to leaks or failure. In other embodiments, each of the seacontainers may have a separately formed one of the fluid conduits 100routed therethrough and independently operated. In either embodiment,each of the sea containers may be utilized in a system similar to thatshown in either of FIGS. 11 and 12. If the arrangement of FIG. 11 isused, the navigable body on which the sea container is being transportedmay act as the heating or cooling source 124 and the water of thenavigable body of water may act as the second fluid. The heat exchanger55 may therefore be used to exchange heat energy between the first fluidflowing through the fluid conduit 100 disposed within the channels 80 ofthe sea container and the second fluid contained within the navigablebody of water. The heat exchanger 55 may for instance form a portion ofthe vessel in fluid communication with each of the navigable body ofwater and the fluid conduit 100. If the arrangement of FIG. 12 is used,the water forming the navigable body of water may act as the fluidsource 224. The vessel used to transport the sea container may include awater transport system (not shown) configured to transport the waterfrom an exterior of the vessel and to the fluid conduit 100 of each ofthe sea containers. Such an arrangement may be used when the water ofthe navigable body of water does not pose a threat of damaging anycomponents of the temperature controlled structure assembly 10 formingthe sea container. As should be understood, the water from the navigablebody of water may act to heat or cool the sea container depending on atemperature of the sea container relative to a temperature of the water.

FIG. 19 illustrates the temperature controlled structure assembly 10 asforming a pathway 96 through a grove or field containing a plurality ofplants disposed to either side of the pathway 96. The plants disposedadjacent the pathway 96 may be trees, shrubs, bushes, grape-bearingvines, or flowers, as non-limiting examples. The plants may be arrangedinto rows and columns or the plants may be arranged in other geometricshapes, as desired. One representative application of the pathway 96 maybe to dispose the pathway 96 through a citrus grove comprised oftemperature sensitive plants, wherein a temperature sensitive plant is aplant that may be damaged or otherwise has a function thereofinterrupted by exposure to extreme temperatures, either hot or cold, orby the introduction of frost on a surface of the temperature sensitiveplant. Another representative application for the pathway 96 may be todispose the pathway 96 in a vineyard comprised of grape-bearing vines.Traditionally, such vineyards or other plant arrangements may plowaccumulated snow present adjacent the vineyard to surround each of theplants to shield and insulate each of the plants from extremely lowambient temperatures. Such a method is problematic for at least threereasons. First, such a snow accumulation may not be present when extremetemperatures are encountered. Second, such plowing may be laborintensive and expensive. Third, the act of plowing immediately adjacentthe plants may be damaging to the plants. Accordingly, the temperaturecontrolled structure assembly 10 formed into the pathway 96 may beutilized in such circumstances to protect such plants from theenvironment during especially harsh ambient conditions.

The pathway 96 is formed from a planar array of the structural panels 60extending between adjacent plants or adjacent groupings of the plants.Although not pictured, it should be understood that the array of thestructural panels 60 may be subsequently covered with at least one ofthe functional panels 20 to cover the channels 80 formed in thestructural panels 60 after at least one of the fluid conduit 100 or theelectrical element 300 is disposed within each of the channels 80.

The pathway 96 may receive the fluid conduit 100, the electrical element300, or a combination thereof in the channels 80 formed in thestructural panels 60 to allow the pathway 96 to perform a heatingfunction, a cooling function, or a combination thereof. The pathway 96is shown in FIG. 19 as having the fluid conduit 100 disposed in thechannels 80 thereof, thereby allowing for the pathway 96 to be heated orcooled by the first fluid passing through the fluid conduit 100. Thefirst fluid contained within the fluid conduit 100 may for example bepumped through the pathway 96 by means of a pump 97 and the first fluidmay also be heated by passing through a boiler 98, as a non-limitingexample. However, any form of heat exchanging device may be used inplace of the boiler 98 without departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

In use, the pump 97 causes the first fluid to flow through the boiler 98or other heat exchanging device where the first fluid is heated beforereaching the pathway 96. When in the pathway 96, the first fluid thenexchanges heat energy with the structural panels 60 and the functionalpanels 20 (not illustrated in FIG. 19) to heat the pathway 96.Accordingly, the pathway 96 may be arranged between adjacent rows orgroupings of the plants forming the field or grove to most efficientlydistribute the heat energy supplied by the first fluid to the pathway96.

Although the structural panels 60 have been described as having thechannels 80 formed therein for routing at least one of the fluid conduit100 or the electrical component 300 therethrough, it should beunderstood that an opposite arrangement in which each of the channels 80is instead formed in a surface of each of the functional panels 20 maybe used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Forexample, with reference to FIG. 20, the functional panel 20 is shown ashaving one of the channels 80 formed therein for receiving at least oneof the fluid conduit 100 or the electrical element 300 therein. FIG. 20shows the fluid conduit 100 as being disposed in the channel 80 andcoupled to the functional panel 20 be means of the first fasteningdevices 5 extending through the tabs 102 of the fluid conduit 100. Thefunctional panel 20 is then coupled to the structural panel 60 by meansof the second fastening devices 6. Accordingly, each portion of thetemperature controlled structure assembly 10 shown and described withreference to FIGS. 1-19 as corresponding to the structural panels 60 maybe formed in an opposite arrangement wherein the outermost functionalpanels 20 are used to form the continuous channel 81 by means of thealignment of corresponding connection points 70. Additionally, thefunctional panels 20 may be configured for use with one or more of theplug seal 40, the plug seal 140, or the foam wrap 110, as desired.

When such an opposite arrangement is used, the temperature controlledstructure assembly 10 may be assembled by first assembling the array ofthe structural panels 60. In some embodiments, the structural panels 60may be coupled to a structural frame 12. The structural frame 12 may forexample be formed from a plurality of the cross-members 14. Once thearray of the structural panels 60 is assembled one of the heating orcooling elements in the form of at least one of the fluid conduit 100and the electrical element 300 is coupled to the array of the functionalpanels 20 after the heating or cooling element has been routed througheach of the channels 80 formed in the array of the functional panels 20.At least one portion of the heating or cooling element may extend acrossat least one of the connection points 70 formed between adjacent ones ofthe functional panels 20 to form the continuous channel 81. Once thearray of the functional panels 20 has received the heating or coolingelement in the continuous channel 81 thereof the array of the functionalpanels 20 may be placed over the array of the structural panels 60 andcoupled thereto to complete the temperature controlled structureassembly 10. The temperature controlled structure assembly 10 having theopposite arrangement may be formed into any of the structures shown anddescribed herein including those arrangements shown in FIGS. 11, 12, and16-19, for example.

The temperature controlled structure assembly 10 provides for a varietyof advantageous features. First, the installation of the heat exchangingelements within the continuous channel 81 formed amongst a plurality ofthe structural panels 60 allows for the exposed functional panels 20 tobe removed, replaced, repaired, or refinished without disturbing theremainder of the temperature controlled structure assembly 10. Forexample, the functional panels 20 may be in the form of wood that isuncoupled from the underlying structural panels 60 as a complete batchthat is then stained at a remote location before being replaced as acomplete batch. The ability to have the functional panels 20 refinishedat a remote location may be particularly helpful in the case of elderlyor disabled persons that may have difficulty in performing a similarfunction on their own. Alternatively, rather than merely altering theappearance of the functional panels 20, an entirely new set of thefunctional panels 20 having completely different characteristics may beinstalled in place of the removed functional panels 20.

Second, the temperature controlled structure assembly 10 may be adaptedfor installation within a preexisting structure. Such a preexistingstructure may form at least a portion of the structural frame 12 towhich the temperature controlled structure assembly 10 may be coupled.Examples of preexisting structures suitable for installation of thetemperature controlled structure assembly 10 may include patiostructures, deck structures, staircase structures, walkway structures,bench or other seating structures, storage structures, and shippingstructures, as non-limiting example. Accordingly, the temperaturecontrolled structure assembly 10 allows a user to advantageously heat orcool a variety of preexisting structures that may present concernsrelating to an excessively hot surface, an excessively cold surface, aslippery surface, or a surface subject to freezing, for example.

Third, the use of a continuous channel 81 that is formed by thecooperation of a plurality of channels 80 formed within a plurality ofstructural panels 60 allows for each of the heating and cooling elementsto be routed within the continuous channel 81 as a single, continuousunit. For example, the fluid conduit 100 is described as having no fluidconnections formed between the inlet 35 into the array of the structuralpanels 60 and the outlet 36 thereof. The use of a continuous fluidconduit 100 without intermediate fluid connections aids in preventingthe incidence of leaks or broken connections between the inlet 35 andthe outlet 36. Additionally, the use of the continuous fluid conduit 100allows for any length of the fluid conduit 100 to be routed through anyconfiguration of the fluid channels 80 in a single installation process,whereas the use of a non-continuous fluid conduit requires eachsubsequent section of the fluid conduit to be coupled and sealedrelative to the preceding section during the installation process,greatly increasing the time required to properly install such a system.

Fourth, the use of flexible heat exchanging elements allows for thetemperature controlled structure assembly 10 to be adapted for use withany configuration of the structural panels 60 and the channels 80 formedtherein, including three-dimensional structures in need of bothhorizontally and vertically extending connections. Accordingly, thecontinuously formed and flexible heat exchanging elements allow the userto create nearly any form of structure using the structural panels 60,including walkways, benches, stairs, or ramps, as non-limiting examples,without being constrained to using segmented heat exchanging elementsthat may not be suitable for use in the proposed structure. In otherwords, the user is not required to use heat exchanging elements having aparticular size and shape suitable for each different type of structuralpanel 60 having a particular size and shape. Accordingly, the user needsonly select the proper structural panels 60 for forming a desiredstructure without needing to utilize corresponding heat exchangingelement segments that are specifically adapted for use therewith.

Furthermore, it should be understood that each of the features describedherein with reference to one specific arrangement of the temperaturecontrolled structure assembly 10 may be adapted for use with any otherarrangement without departing from the scope of the present invention.For example, each of the structural panels 60 may be adapted for usewith either of the fluid conduit 100 or the electrical element 300, orcombinations thereof, as desired. Similarly, each of the structuralpanels 60 may be adapted for use with one or more of the plug seal 40,the plug seal 140, or the foam wrap 110, as desired. Any structuralutilizing the temperature controlled structure assembly 10 may furtherbe adapted for use with any type of drainage system including any formof the drip pan 54, as desired. Other potential combinations of thefeatures and structures described hereinabove may also be readilyapparent to one skilled in the art without departing from the scope ofthe present invention, as desired.

From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art caneasily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and,without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make variouschanges and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usagesand conditions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A temperature controlled structure assemblycomprising: a plurality of structural panels; a plurality of functionalpanels having an exposed portion for contact with a user, each of thefunctional panels contacting at least one of the structural panels, achannel formed in at least one of each of the structural panels and eachof the functional panels, each of the channels intersecting at least oneof a peripheral edge of one of the structural panels and a peripheraledge of one of the functional panels to form a connection point of eachof the channels; and a heat exchanging element disposed in each of thechannels and configured to exchange heat with at least one of thefunctional panels.
 2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein theheat exchanging element is a fluid conduit configured to convey a firstfluid therethrough for exchanging the heat with the at least one of thefunctional panels.
 3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein thefluid conduit is continuous and contains no fluid connections therealongwithin any of the channels or at any of the connection points thereof.4. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchangingelement includes a flanged portion extending therefrom for coupling theheat exchanging element to at least one of one of the functional panelsand one of the structural panels.
 5. The assembly according to claim 4,wherein the heat exchanging element includes a plurality of the flangedportions extending therefrom spaced apart from each other along a lengthof the heat exchanging element to form a plurality of tabs.
 6. Theassembly according to claim 5, wherein the tabs are removably coupled tothe heat exchanging element.
 7. The assembly according to claim 1,wherein each of the connection points is aligned with an adjacent one ofthe connection points to form a continuous channel extending through oneof at least two of the structural panels or at least two of thefunctional panels.
 8. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein arecess is formed in one of the channels at the connection point thereof,the recess configured to receive a conically shaped plug seal, the plugseal including an opening formed therethrough for receiving the heatexchanging element therein.
 9. The assembly according to claim 8,wherein the plug seal includes a flanged portion formed at one endthereof and the recess includes a widened portion for receiving theflanged portion, wherein the flanged portion is configured to preloadthe plug seal into the recess to provide a secure seal therebetween. 10.The assembly according to claim 8, wherein an adhesive is disposedbetween the plug seal and the heat exchanging element.
 11. The assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein a weather stripping material is disposedat the connection point of each of the channels to provide aninterference fit.
 12. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein theweather stripping material is formed from closed cell foam.
 13. Theassembly according to claim 1, wherein a rubberized paint is disposed onan outer face of at least one of the structural panels and an inner faceof at least one of the functional panels to provide a seal at aninterface therebetween.
 14. The assembly according to claim 13, whereinthe rubberized paint is electrostatically applied.
 15. The assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein the channels are formed in each of thestructural panels, at least one of the structural panels including acut-out portion and the channel formed in each of the structural panelsintersects the cut-out portion to form the connection point, the cut-outportion configured to receive a first insert therein, the first insertincluding at least one channel formed therein intersecting a peripheraledge of the first insert to form a connection point of the first insertconfigured for alignment with the connection point formed in the atleast one of the structural panels adjacent the cut-out portion.
 16. Theassembly according to claim 15, including a second insert, the secondinsert including at least one channel formed therein intersecting aperipheral edge of the second insert to form a connection point of thesecond insert configured for alignment with the connection point formedin the at least one of the structural panels adjacent the cut-outportion, wherein the channel of the first insert has a first length andthe channel of the second insert has a second length, wherein the firstlength is different from the second length.
 17. The assembly accordingto claim 1, wherein at least one of the functional panels includes acut-out portion and the channel formed in the at least one of thefunctional panels intersects the cut-out portion to form the connectionpoint, the cut-out portion configured to receive a first insert therein,the first insert including at least one channel formed thereinintersecting a peripheral edge of the first insert to form a connectionpoint of the first insert configured for alignment with the connectionpoint formed in the at least one of the functional panels adjacent thecut-out portion
 18. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein thechannel is formed in an outer face of each of the structural panels infacing relationship with an inner face of each of the functional panels.19. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchangingelement is an electrical element in electrical communication with apower source.
 20. The assembly according to claim 19, wherein theelectrical element includes at least one of a solid state electricalresistance heater, a Peltier effect refrigeration element, and acombined solid state electrical resistance heater and Peltier effectrefrigeration element.
 21. The assembly according to claim 19, whereinthe electrical element has both a heating mode and a cooling mode, theelectrical element switchable between the heating mode and the coolingmode.
 22. The assembly according to claim 19, wherein the electricalelement includes two leads extending therethrough, wherein anend-turnaround segment is coupled to an end of the electrical element toelectrically connect the two leads.
 23. The assembly according to claim19, wherein the power source is in electrical communication with acontroller, the controller in signal communication with a sensorconfigured to determine a condition of at least one of the functionalpanels, the controller configured to apply an electrical current to theelectrical element when the sensor determines that a preselectedcondition of the at least one of the functional panels is met.
 24. Theassembly according to claim 19, wherein the power source is inelectrical communication with a controller, the controller in signalcommunication with a remotely controlled device.
 25. The assemblyaccording to claim 24, wherein the remotely controlled device is amobile device.
 26. The assembly according to claim 24, wherein theremotely controlled device communicates with the controller usingBluetooth.
 27. The assembly according to claim 24, wherein the remotelycontrolled device includes a push-button interface.
 28. The assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein a drip pan is disposed beneath thestructural panels for collecting fluid disposed on an exposed surface ofthe functional panels.
 29. The assembly according to claim 28, whereinthe drip pan includes a heating element configured to heat the fluidcollected by the drip pan.
 30. The assembly according to claim 29,wherein the heating element is in signal communication with a controllerand the controller is in signal communication with a sensor configuredto determine a condition of the drip pan, wherein the controller isconfigured to activate the heating element when the sensor determinesthat a preselected condition of the drip pan is met.
 31. The assemblyaccording to claim 29, wherein the heating element is configured to beactivated at a predetermined time according to a pre-programmedschedule.
 32. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the structuralpanels include a substantially horizontally extending structural panelspaced apart at least partially in a vertical direction from an adjacentsubstantially horizontally extending structural panel to create astaircase structure, wherein the heat exchanging element is routed atleast partially in a vertical direction between the structural panelsspaced apart at least partially in the vertical direction to form atleast one of a fluid connection and an electrical connectiontherebetween.
 33. The assembly according to claim 32, wherein each ofthe structural panels spaced apart at least partially in the verticaldirection is coupled to a support column extending at least partially ina vertical direction and the heat exchanging element is routed at leastpartially in a vertical direction between the structural panels spacedapart at least partially in the vertical direction through a hollowopening formed in the support column.
 34. The assembly according toclaim 33, wherein the support column includes a plurality of accessports formed therein providing access to a hollow interior of thesupport column.
 35. The assembly according to claim 34, wherein theaccess ports of the support column are covered by a plurality ofremovable access caps.
 36. The assembly according to claim 33, whereineach of the structural panels spaced apart at least partially in thevertical direction is substantially wedge shaped and angularly spacedapart from an adjacent one of the structural panels to form a spiralstaircase structure.
 37. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein theheat exchanging element is configured to receive a first fluid forexchanging heat with the functional panels.
 38. The assembly accordingto claim 37, wherein at least one of a heat pump, a boiler, a chiller,ice, and solar energy at least one of heats and cools the first fluid.39. The assembly according to claim 37, wherein the first fluid is atleast one of water, brine, a water and glycol solution, and oil.
 40. Theassembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the functionalpanels includes a first aperture formed therein and at least one of thestructural panels includes a corresponding second aperture formedtherein, wherein the at least one of the functional panels is coupled tothe at least one of the structural panels by a dowel pin received ineach of the first aperture and the second aperture.
 41. The assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein the functional panels are formed from atleast one of wood, asphalt, concrete, brick, bamboo, and compositematerial.
 42. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the structuralpanels are formed from at least one of shredded tires, particle board,shredded bamboo, palm fronds, knot-containing wood, and chimney fly ash.43. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one of thefunctional panels and the structural panels includes a heat transferimproving material.
 44. The assembly according to claim 43, wherein theheat transfer improving material is powdered aluminium.
 45. The assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein at least one of the functional panels isremovably coupled to at least one of the structural panels to allow theat least one of the functional panels to be manipulated independently ofthe at least one of the structural panels.
 46. The assembly according toclaim 1, wherein at least one of the channels is linear.
 47. Theassembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the channelsincludes at least one 180° turn.
 48. The assembly according to claim 1,wherein the heat exchanging element is an electrical element formed froma plurality of coupled segments, wherein the segments are coupled bycorresponding mating features.
 49. The assembly according to claim 48,wherein at least one of an electrical tape and a weatherproof sheath isdisposed on a junction of adjacent ones of the segments at the matingfeatures thereof.
 50. The assembly according to claim 48, wherein atleast one of the segments has a length different from another one of thesegments.
 51. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one ofthe channels includes a pair of the heat exchanging elements disposedtherein, wherein a first one of the heat exchanging elements is a fluidconduit and a second one of the heat exchanging elements is anelectrical element.
 52. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein adrip pan is disposed beneath the structural panels and includes aninclined surface directed toward a drain.
 53. The assembly according toclaim 52, wherein the drip pan is in heat exchange communication with aheating element, the heating element in signal communication with both acontroller and a sensor disposed adjacent the drip pan, the controllerin signal communication with the sensor.
 54. The assembly according toclaim 53, wherein the controller is configured to activate the heatingelement when the sensor determines that a condition of the drip pan ismet.
 55. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one of thefunctional panels includes a convex outer surface configured to drainmoisture from the outer surface.
 56. The assembly according to claim 1,wherein at least one of the functional panels includes an outer surfaceinclined with respect to and configured to drain moisture from the outersurface.
 57. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein one of thefunctional panels and an underlying one of the structural panels includecorresponding holes formed therethrough configured to drain moisturefrom an outer surface of the one of the functional panels.
 58. Theassembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the functionalpanels is angled relative to a ground surface to form a ramp structure.59. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchangingelement is a fluid caused to flow through each of the channels.
 60. Theassembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the structuralpanels and at least one of the functional panels cooperate to form arail configured to heat or cool a hand of a user.
 61. The assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein at least one of the structural panels andat least one of the functional panels cooperate to form a seatingsurface.
 62. The assembly according to claim 61, wherein the seatingsurface is vertically spaced from an adjacent one of the functionalpanels forming a standing surface.
 63. The assembly according to claim1, wherein an adhesive is disposed between the heat exchanging elementand each of the channels.
 64. The assembly according to claim 1, whereinthe heat exchanging element has a substantially hexagonalcross-sectional shape.
 65. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein atleast one of the functional panels includes a channel formed in asurface thereof in facing relationship with a surface having the channelof at least one of the structural panels, wherein the channel of the atleast one of the functional panels has a shape corresponding to theshape of the channel of the at least one of the structural panels. 66.The assembly according to claim 65, wherein the heat exchanging elementis disposed at least partially in the channel of the at least one of thefunctional panels and the channel of the at least one of the structuralpanels.
 67. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein a planar array ofthe functional panels is disposed on a planar array of the structuralpanels to foul′ a pallet structure configured to at least one of heatand cool an article disposed on the pallet structure.
 68. The assemblyaccording to claim 67, wherein the pallet structure includes at leastone sidewall formed from a planar array of the structural panelsdisposed on a planar array of the functional panels, the at least onesidewall arranged perpendicular to and coupled to the pallet structure,the pallet structure and the at least one sidewall cooperating to foam acrate structure.
 69. The assembly according to claim 68, wherein thecrate structure is configured for transport on a vessel configured tooperate on a navigable body of water.
 70. The assembly according toclaim 69, wherein the water of the navigable body of water is at leastone of directed through the heat exchanging element and in heat exchangerelationship with a fluid disposed within the heat exchanging element.71. The assembly according to claim 67, wherein a plurality of thepallet structures are formed adjacent each other, wherein the heatexchanging element of each of the pallet structures is an electricalelement in electrical communication with a common power source used toprovide electrical energy to each of the pallet structures.
 72. Theassembly according to claim 1, wherein the structural panels and thefunctional panels are arranged into a pathway disposed between a firsttemperature sensitive plant and a second temperature sensitive plant,wherein the heat exchanging element is configured to heat the firsttemperature sensitive plant and the second temperature sensitive plant.73. The assembly according to claim 72, wherein the first temperaturesensitive plant and the second temperature sensitive plant form aportion of a vineyard.
 74. The assembly according to claim 1, whereinthe heat exchanging element is resiliently press-fit into at least oneof the channels.
 75. A temperature controlled structure systemcomprising: an array of structural panels, a channel formed in each ofthe structural panels, the channel intersecting a peripheral edge ofeach of the structural panels to form a connection point of the channel;a functional panel overlaying the structural panels and including aportion exposed for contact with a user; and a conduit disposed withinthe channel formed in each of the structural panels for conveying afirst fluid therethrough, the first fluid configured to exchange heatwith the functional panel, wherein the conduit extends between an inletof the array of structural panels to an outlet of the array ofstructural panels; a pump causing the first fluid to flow through theconduit; and a first fluid line in fluid communication with the conduit,the first fluid line extending outside of the array of structural panelsfrom the outlet and back to the inlet, the first fluid line in fluidcommunication with at least one of a heat exchanging device and a fluidsource configured to store the first fluid.
 76. The system according toclaim 75, wherein the first fluid line is in fluid communication withthe fluid source, wherein the functional panel is exposed to sunlight,and wherein the first fluid receives heat energy from the functionalpanel to reduce a temperature of the functional panel and to increase atemperature of the first fluid.
 77. The system according to claim 76,wherein the fluid source is a swimming pool and the functional panelforms a surface adjacent the swimming pool.
 78. The system according toclaim 75, wherein the first fluid line is in fluid communication withthe fluid source, wherein the functional panel has a lower temperaturethan the first fluid of the fluid source, and wherein the functionalpanel receives heat energy from the first fluid to increase atemperature of the functional panel.
 79. The system according to claim76, wherein the fluid source is a swimming pool and the functional panelforms a surface adjacent the swimming pool.
 80. The system according toclaim 75, wherein the first fluid line is in fluid communication withthe heat exchanging device, wherein the heat exchanging device is inheat exchange relationship with a second fluid isolated from the firstfluid.
 81. The system according to claim 80, wherein the second fluidflows through a second fluid line separate from the first fluid line,wherein heat energy is exchanged between the first fluid and the secondfluid at the heat exchanging device.
 82. The system according to claim81, wherein the second fluid is water originating from a body of waterand circulating through the second fluid line.
 83. The system accordingto claim 82, wherein the functional panel forms a portion of a boardwalkstructure adjacent the body of water.
 84. The system according to claim81, wherein the second fluid is at least one of water, brine, a waterand glycol solution, and oil.
 85. The system according to claim 75,wherein the first fluid line is in fluid communication with the heatexchanging device, wherein the heat exchanging device is one of aboiler, a heat pump, an electrical heater, or a device configured toutilize solar energy to produce heat.
 86. The system according to claim75, wherein the first fluid line is in fluid communication with the heatexchanging device, wherein the heat exchanging device is a hot waterheater and the first fluid is water heated by the hot water heater. 87.The system according to claim 75, wherein the first fluid line is influid communication with the heat exchanging device, wherein the heatexchanging device is one of a chiller or an air conditioning unit.
 88. Atemperature controlled structure system comprising: an array ofstructural panels; an array of functional panels overlaying thestructural panels and including a portion exposed for contact with auser, a channel formed in each of the functional panels, the channelintersecting a peripheral edge of each of the functional panels to forma connection point of the channel; and a conduit disposed within thechannel formed in each of the functional panels for conveying a firstfluid therethrough, the first fluid configured to exchange heat witheach of the functional panels, wherein the conduit extends between aninlet of the array of functional panels to an outlet of the array offunctional panels; a pump causing the first fluid to flow through theconduit; and a fluid line in fluid communication with the conduit, thefluid line extending outside of the array of functional panels from theoutlet and back to the inlet, the fluid line in fluid communication withat least one of a heat exchanger and a fluid source configured to storethe first fluid.
 89. The system according to claim 88, wherein the firstfluid line is in fluid communication with the fluid source and the arrayof functional panels is exposed to sunlight.
 90. The system according toclaim 89, wherein the fluid source is a swimming pool and the array offunctional panels forms a surface adjacent the swimming pool.
 91. Thesystem according to claim 88, wherein the first fluid line is in fluidcommunication with the heat exchanging device, wherein the heatexchanging device is in heat exchange relationship with a second fluidisolated from the first fluid.
 92. The system according to claim 91,wherein the second fluid is water originating from a body of water andthe array of functional panels forms a portion of a boardwalk structureadjacent the body of water.
 93. A method of forming a temperaturecontrolled structure, the method comprising the steps of: providing anarray of structural panels, a channel formed in each of the structuralpanels, the channel intersecting a peripheral edge of each of thestructural panels to form a connection point of the channel; routing atleast one heat exchanging element through the channel of each of thestructural panels, wherein at least one heat exchanging element extendsacross at least one of the connection points; and coupling a functionalpanel to the structural panels, wherein the functional panel is disposedon a surface of each of the structural panels having the channel formedtherein.
 94. The method according to claim 93, wherein the structuralpanels are coupled to a structural frame.
 95. The method according toclaim 93, wherein the at least one heat exchanging element is coupled toat least one of the structural panels before the step of coupling thefunctional panel to the structural panels.
 96. A method of forming atemperature controlled structure, the method comprising the steps of:assembling an array of structural panels; providing an array offunctional panels, a channel formed in each of the functional panels,the channel intersecting a peripheral edge of each of the functionalpanels to form a connection point of the channel; routing at least oneheat exchanging element through the channel of each of the functionalpanels, wherein at least one heat exchanging element extends across atleast one of the connection points; coupling the at least one heatexchanging element to the array of functional panels; and coupling thearray of functional panels having the heat exchanging element coupledthereto to the array of structural panels.